Button-feeding device



M. F. TAINTOR 8: W. T. MATHER.

BUTTON FEEDING DEVICE.

Wiiiiesses;

4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Patented Oct. 20, 1891.

mm m? 6 g f d [a 0 J j a a, j 7/ a. e 75 72 live/b757 5 2W 0/ Wm (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. P. TAINTOR & W. T. MATHER. BUTTON FEEDING DEVICE.

No. 461,649. atented Oct. '20, 1891. 117

(No lv lodeL) 4 SheetsSheet 3. M. P. TAINTOR & W. T. MATHER. BUTTON FEEDING DEVICE Patented Oct. 20.1891.

15 PETERS co., momm'nu. wAsnmm-ou n c (No Model.)' I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4. M. I. TAINTOR & W. T. MATHER. BUTTON FEEDING DEVICE Patented 00t.20,1891.

0., Pumwmnu. wnsu UNITE STATES PATENT MYRON F. TAINTOR AND \VILLl'AM T. MATHER, OF'EASTHAMPTON,

MASSACHUSETTS.

BUTTON-FEEDING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,649, dated October 20, 1891.

Application filed March 30, 1891- Serial No. 387,060. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MYRON F. TAINTOR and WILLIAM T. MATHER, citizens of the United States, residing at Easthampton, in the county ofHampshire and State .of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Mechanism for Feeding Button Blanks or Parts to Button- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for automatically feeding the parts employed in the manufacture of buttons, and to the mechanisms of the button-making machine or press which operate upon said parts.

The objects of the invention are the provision of devices for the purpose indicated, which are most efficient to be operated in conjunction with the button-forming mechanism to convey the parts with certainty and accuracy to their respective positions on or relative to the said button-forming mechanisms.

The present contrivances have been particularly designed for use in the making of cloth-covered buttons, in which are embodied thin flanged metallic disks or shells for the button-tops, thin flanged or cupped metallic and centrally-apertured shells or collets for the rear of the buttons, blanks of cloth to be contained within the buttons between the said metallic parts, and a central portion of each of which is caused to protrude rear wardly through the aperture in the collet to form the shank or attachment member, and

in addition to these parts there is the blank of cloth for covering the outer disk, and usually'a wad or portion of paper or analogous material for filling the space within the button between the said metallic sections The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts for the production of certain instrumentalities, and in the combination of instrumentalities or mechanisms, all substantially as will hereinafter more fully appear, and be set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawingsillustrations are given of feeding mechanism for a buttonmachine constructed under and in accordance with this invention.

1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a buttonmachine or press of ordinary construction having mounted on and in relation thereto automatic feed devices for supplying in proper succession the metallic disks or parts for the front and rear of the button and sections of cloth to be combined with said metallic parts. Fig. 2 is a front side view of the principal portions of the automatic feeding and gnid-. ing mechanism for the metallic disks and collets. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, enlarged, of parts in detail embodied in the last-mentionedstructure, and which will be hereinafter more fully described. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, as well as Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of parts at the upper portion of the disk and collet-feeding mechanism, Fig. 6 being a central vertical section taken about on the line 6 6, Fig.4 Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken through the hoppers which form part of the disk and collet-feeding mechanism, Fig. 8 being a side elevation and partial vertical section taken on the line 8 8, Fig. 7.

Similar characters of reference indicate cor responding parts in all the views.

A represents a button machine or press, which is of a common construction, the same embodying a rotary table which is provided with a series of studs a a near the edge of the table, alternate ones of which are for receiving the collets :20, while the relatively intermediate studs receive the flanged disks y y. An intermittent rotational movement is imparted to the said rotary table B in a usual manner-as, for instance, through the means of the crank-pin 20engaging the intermediately-pivoted lever 22, which by its lower end is linked, as at 23, to the slide 24, on which is hung the spring-pressed pallet 25, which engages the ratchet-teeth on the said table.

The mechanisms here introduced are designed to automatically perform that which ICO borne upon by a plunger member and caused to protrude byits middle portion in the form of a teat through the opening in the collet and beyond the back side thereof. A wad or filling is then usually placed over the hollowed cloth in the collet. \Vhile these operations have been in progress one of the flanged disks has been placed with its flanged edge downward in the suitable depression therefor in one of the other studs on the rotatable table, to be then superposed by the blank or section of cloth which forms the cover for the button-top. A punch or die of a suitable formation descending, folds the edge of the cloth over the flanged edge of the disk, and on its rising or return movement carries therewith both the disk and the cloth. \Vhile the die is in an upper position a stud having the collet with the shank-forming cloth and filling is brought into axial alignment with the said die, the flange or rim of the collet upwardly extending toward the downwardlyprojected flange of the disk. The said. die, descending, unites the parts.

Having now described substantially the modus operandi of the button-machine for the making of the button of the character described, the availability and utilityof the present invention may be the more fully and readily understood.

The metallic shells, flanged disks, or collets are poured in quantities into the hoppers O C thereforthat is to say, a quantity of one kind of the metallic parts is poured into the one hopper, while a quantity of the other kind is placed in the other hopper. From these hoppers the said parts are led down and conveyed one at a time to correspond with each button-forming operation of the machine. It

will of course be understood that it is necessary that the said button parts be presented with their flanged sides all extending in the same direction, and the said parts of the given kind being placed at random in the hopper therefor there is necessarily interposed between the delivery of the hopper and the point at which the buttons are delivered to be operated upon by the mechanism of the button machine or press devices for causing such of the buttons as may be, as they pass out of the hopper, wrong side around to be turned for their proper presentation; and we will now proceed to describe in detail a form of mechanism constructed under our invention, which is automatic in its action and which insures the presentation of the cupped part, as necessary. It will be noted that the mechanism about to be described is substantially duplicated, whereby button parts in two series maybe fed down in the manner and for the purpose generally outlined.

The hopper O, as more particularly shown in Figs. 7 and 8, consists of a receptacle of spheroidal form, the same being constituted by the pair of semi-spheroidal shells Z) Z), each provided with the outwardly-extended and concentric flange I), said flanges being separated by a distance somewhat greater than the width of one of the cupped or flanged disks or collets from its base to the edge of its rim. The said hopper-shells are mounted in the relations shown upon the shaft cl,which forms the axis thereof, the said shaft being supported on a bracket or hanger c, which in turn is sustained upon the frame of the button-press. The one which may be relatively termed the outer of the said pair of hopper-constituting shells b has its outer side concentric with the axis formed with the opening 28, centrally within which is the, hub 29, supported within said opening by the spoke-arms or spider 30, said hub being adjustable along the shaft (1, being confined in place bythe set-screw 32 or otherwise. Those which are relatively the inner shells b of the hopper are supported on a central hub 29', which is confined by a screw or otherwise on the shaft. The outer sections 1) b may be set nearer to or farther from the inner sections of the hoppers, so that the circular slot or opening 38 may be of greater or less width, as necessary for different-sizedparts.

f represents a chute to facilitate the entrance of the metallic button parts into the hopper. One of the hopper-sections b, at its portion surrounding the said opening 28, is formed to constitute a pulley, as at 34, around which is passed a belt 35, which is driven in any suitable manner, and thus a rotation of each hopper is secured, so that the disks or button parts which are placed in the hopper without order or arrangement settle down, the lowermost thereof standing in a vertical plane between the flanges of the hopper-sections b. A shield g of arc form is supported under the slot 33, the same being formed as a part of or attachment to the vertical tube h, which has substantially a rectangular crosssection, the longer dimension of which is in a plane coincident with that of the slot 33. It will be apparent that the tube It will be filled with the cupped parts, the flanged edges, however, of some being the reverse as to position of those occupied by others of the said parts, as is in a manner indicated in Fig. 6. At a suitable distance below the lower end of each vertical tube It there is a double guidetube D, the samecomprising two tubular me|nbers j and ,7", both having at the top a common mouth Z, the said tubes thence in their downward course diverging and each having a twist or spiral course in opposite directions, substantially as indicated in the drawings, and each spiral-tube section having developed a gradual course, comprising a spiral corresponding to a quarter-convolution, the said tubes merge together again, and the one into the other, in the common guideway 70, which stands at right angles to the mouth I at the top of each of the spiral guide-sections It will therefore be seen that should a disk 3 come down through the tube 7; in the relative disposition indicated by 40, Fig. 6thrt is, with its flanged edge toward the outer wall 42 of the left-hand spiral guide-tubej-and entering said tube (and not being permitted to be overturn ed therein,whereby the position of its flanged side may be by any possibility reversed, owing' to the fact that the width of the opening in each guide-tube is to be less than the diameter of one of the flanged disks or shells) manifestly as the said part y reaches the bottom portion In of the guide it lies with its flanged edge upon the bottom of the said guide, which is in downward continuation of the said wall 42. It will also be seen,of course, that if instead of the particular disk 40 passing into the left-hand spiral guide-tube one oppositely turned were so entered into said left-hand tube and passed down through the same it would at the bottom thereof be disposed flanged edge up; but of course when the disk is disposed, as shown at 41, with its flanged edge toward the left and caused to descend through the right-hand spiral guidetube it would then also be presented as it reached the part It with its flanged edge lowermost. Now, therefore, it becomes evident that where the cupped parts are to be fed down all with the flanged edges lowermost by such a guide-tube as the present one is employed it becomes necessary that those hav ing their flanged edges leftward should pass supported at its lower edge,

down the left-hand tube, while those oppositely disposed should be guided to pass down the right-hand tube, and the devices for'automatically and positively assuring this action will be now described. \Ve therefore provide between the point at which the openings of the two spiral guidetubesjj at their upper ends merge together a chamber formed by the rectangular casing m, the top of which lies close under the bottom of the tube h. n represents a switch plate or tongue pivotally as at 44, and normally adapted to lie, as indicated by the dotted lines in the sectional view, Fig. 6, to close the mouth of the left-hand tube j leaving the mouth of the right-hand tubej open and unobstructed, but on occasion to be swung to open the mouth of the left-hand tube j, closing that of the right-hand tube. The lowermost cupped disk or button part is momentarily held from fallinginto the chamher and within the shell m by the horizontal gate or plate 0, which is supported on the vertical pivoted arms 45 45 and normally held in its closing position by the spring 46. So while a lowermost disk y, reaching the lower end of the tube h, is momentarily supported, a feeler device is thereby given timein which to come in contact with the cupped part, and which device, finding the disk with its bottom toward the left, is thereby restrained from being moved to its extreme limit of inward movement, and exerts no effect on the switchtongue, the part y then falling,when permitted so to do, by the withdrawal of the gate 0, to be guided through the right spiral tubej to reach the bottom chute bottom side up, and so, also, if the cupped part has its base toward the right the feeler will move farther inwardly'before contacting, such slight excess of movement causing a shifting of the switchtongue, and consequently a guiding of the button part down the left tube, so that under these circumstances the cupped disks will reach the machine bottom side up; and, describing these mechanisms more in detail, E represents a lever intermediately pivoted, to which a periodical vibratory movement is imparted in any suitable n1anneras, for instance, by the radial pieces q,movable with the table, contacting with the lower arm of said lever as thetable has its rotational movement. The said lever E carries toward its upper end an arm r for each of the automatic guide mechanisms, which arm, at a suitable portion, is provided with a cam or wedge member 48, (see particularly Fig. 5,) which on the swinging of thelever E in one direction has an engagement. with the edge 49 of one of the arms 45, carrying the gate 0, so that periodically the gate may be forced outwardly to permit of the lowermost collet or disk passing into the tubular guiding device.

There is on the upper end of the lever E a member 50, having the cam-surface 52, which moves in unison with the arm r and cam or wedge thereon. The said member, having'the cam-surface 52, is provided to have an impingement upon one arm 53 of an angular lever, which at its elbow is mounted on the shaft 54, horizontally supported in a proper manner, the other arm 55 of said angular lever being suitably downwardly extended more or less nearly, as shown in the drawings, and is provided with the feeler-pin t, which is adapted to have a play, as the arm carrying it swings into and out of the slot 56 through the left-hand side of the tube It.

57 represents an arm which is radially extended from the switch-tongue n to act as a crank-arm, having the angular member 58, which is extended to lie across the plane of swinging movement of the feeler-carrying arm 55. An appliance is providedwhich has a tendency to maintain the switch-tongue n in the position indicated by the dotted lines at in Fig. 6, said appliance here consisting of the arm 59, radially extended from the pivotal support for said tongue and provided with the weight 60. So it willbe now readily understood that if the cupped button part is let down opposite the feeler-slot 56 with its base toward said slot the arm 55 will be restrained from-moving to its innermost limit, the tongue remaining, as indicated by the dotted lines at, Fig. 6; but where the cupped parts come down reversed, so that the arm 55 is permitted to swing to its innermost limit. the lower portion of said arm contacting with the arm 57 of the switch-tongue swings the latter into the position shown by the full lines in Fig. 6, insuring the passage of the cupped button part down the left tube j.

62 represents a spring applied forinsuring with certainty the inward movement of the feeler-carrying arm when permitted so to move, as the cam surface 52 assumes the proper relation therefor. The inward stress of the feeler-carrying arm 55 is sufficient to overpower the force constituted by the weight (30, which maintains the switch-tongue normally deflected over the mouth of the lefthand tube;

The common guideway or chamber it, into which the spiral tubes j merge, has its bottom more or less downwardly inclined, as deemed suitable, and the said way 7; is farther downwardly and forwardly continued in a chute 21, the downward slant of which gradually decreases, and the said chute terminates at or in proper relation to the top of the recessed studs or dies, so that the button part, having once been released from the upper tube h, will finally come to and assume a position upon the top of one of the said studs a.

Of course it is to be understood that the gate 0, the feeler t, and the switch-tongue are to have their movements properlytimed with relation to each other, the same being accomplished by the proper shaping and arrangement of the controlling cam-like parts orsurfaces-that is to say, the gate 0, after releasing the button part, im m ediately resu mes its intercepting position under the bottom of the tube 72, while of course the shifting of the switcht'ongue, if the same is shiftechis in continuation of or at the completion of the movement of the feeler devices. There is embodied in the mechanism described a device which serves, as the gate 0 is withdrawn, to restrain button parts from falling down into the spiral tube, except the lowermost one, which had been contacted upon by the feelerdinger and the position of which had governed the position of the switch-tongue, and this device consists in the arm or pin 0, which is supported on and movable with the arm 1', which carries the gate-operating cam or incline 48, the said restraining-pin r entering the slot (35 in the edge of the tube h, so as to assume a position, as the said cam 48 forces the gate, to clear the passage to the guide-tubes under the next to the lowest disk or collet.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that much of the mechanism or many of the parts hereinabove described relative to one guiding device D are duplicated for the second guiding device with which the machine is equipped. It will be apparent, also, that the said guiding devices and controlling contrivances may be designed, and in practice are utilized, for insuring the feed and presentation of the collets with their flanged edges uppermost instead of with the bases uppermost, as are the disks for the buttontops; but thisnecessitates merely a reversal in the arrangement of the parts for controlling the switch-tongue, requiring merely the judgment of any skillful mechanic who has familiarized himself with the nature and composition of the invention as herein set forth; and inasmuch as the collets are centrally apertured through their bases, of course the slot in the tube h, through which tube the collets are guided down from the hopper, should be toward the edge of the tube or otherwise in such a position that the feeler-finger i will not have a play in the line coincident with the opening in the lowermost collet, but will always be opposite an imperforate part of the collet. After a collet has been deposited upon a respective stud or die a therefor, being guided down thereto with the proper side up, the table is partially rotated to bring the said stud at a different point radially with relation to the center of the table, and we have illustrated in Fig. 1 an automatic device for supplying a section of cloth to and depositing it upon the open side of the collet, the same consisting in a suitable support and guide 70, having upper and lower fecd-rclls 72 72, a shear 73, and a device for movingtheshearto severthesuitably-fedpiece of cloth, which lies forward thereof upon the collet, from the main strip orportion 75. Gearing 76. suitably driven, is provided for operating the feed-rolls, and, as shown, the sh earblade 73 is given a swinging movement by a pin or abutment 77, that is on the punch or plunger 7 8, which is provided for forcing the said cloth by its middle through the central aperture in the collet to form the button-sham k or attaching teat.

Many of the parts of the machine, as has been already made more or less apparent, are adjustable, so that varying-sized button parts may be fed thereby-as, for instance, disks or collets having depths or flanges of different widths may be properly discharged edgewise from the hopperstl1e central slot in each being of variable width. The width of the way or passage through the guide-tubes 33' and otherchambered or guiding parts intimately pertaining thereto is as great as the diameter of the largest button parts which it may be desired to feed, and the chute a for each feeder D is adjustable, so that the side Walls 80 80 thereof may have a separation to accord with the width of the particular blanks being fed, so that they will always be brought with their centers across the axis of the stud or onto which they are to be delivered. Therefore, as more particularly illustrated in Fig. 3, the forward chute it consists of members 82 S2, pivoted at the rear portions, as at 83, so that said members may have a swinging motion, the one relative to the other, in the plane coincident with their bottoms, and, as shown, the inner edge of each member 82 is formed angular to the side wall 80, so that a V-shaped recess of a greater or lesser width and depth may be constituted at the forward portion of the said chute to have a most practical disposition with relation to the collet-receiving studs.

If, under certain circumstances, it is found expedient to supply to the button-machine other of the parts automatically in substitution of such parts as have hereinabove been described as automatically fed, or in addition to such parts, such may be done within the province of our inventionas, forinstance, in lieu of devices for feeding and severing portions of cloth to be contained within the collet and to protrude rearwardly therefrom, substantiallysimilar devices maybe employed for supplying portions of fabric over the top disk for covering the button; and, again, it may be deemed advantageous to employ antomatic guiding, restraining, and let-off devices in many respects similar to those embodied in the feeders and guides for the metallic button parts which may be utilized to periodically supplya wad or fillingfor the interior of the button.

It is to be understood that we deem that there is novelty comprised in the tubular guide, restraining, and let-oft devices over and above that which is imparted thereto by the combination therewith of the'switch and feeler for controlling the same, for it will be evident that in instances where the placing of the button partin a tube like the one 7t, all with their edges foremost, by hand, is a matter of expediency there only requires to be in combination with said tube and the restraining and let-off contrivances a simple guidechute for conveying each released button part down to the mechanism for operating thereon.

That we claim as our invention is- 1. In a feeding device for a button-machine, the combination, with the tube h and the shaft (Z, of a hopper 0, consisting of the semi-spheroidal shells b I), having the flanges Z) and having hubs whereby they are mounted on said shaft, means for their confinement thereon, one of said shells being provided with the opening 28, surrounded by the pulley-constituting flange 34, and within which opening is the hub for said shell and the sustaining spider or spoke arms, the chute f, and the guard g, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a feeder for the purpose substantially as set forth, a pair of guide-tubes of spiral form at their upper portions merging in a common mouth or chamber and at their lower portions merging into a common way which has a direction for guiding at an angle to the said upper chamber, a movable switchtongue in the said upper chamber and mechanism for automatically operating said switchtongue, substantially as described.

3. In a feeder for the purpose substantially as set forth, in combination, a pair of guidetubes which at their upper portions unite in a common month, said tubes thence having spiral courses in opposite directions, each developing a portionof a convolution and merging at the lower sections the one into .the other, forming a common way which is angular to the said upper chamber, a tube h above the upper mouth, having an opening 56 through its side, a switch-tongue in the said upper mouth, a feeler device, and means for actuating same, which feeler has a play through the said opening 56, and which feeler device, by a portion thereof, is adapted to have an engagement with a member or portion of the said switch, whereby under proper conditions to shift the'same, or the purpose set forth.

4. In a feeder'for the purpose substantially as set forth, in combination, the guide way or tube It, having an opening 56 and an opening 65, the double spiral guide-tube formed, substantially as described, having in the mouth at the upper portion thereof a switch-tongue, a gate movable under and away from under the said tube, a feeler device which has a play through the said opening 56 and which by a portion thereof is adapted to have an engagement with the said switch, whereby on occasion to operate the latter, and the restraining member 5, movable through the opening 65, and devices for imparting periodically movements, respectively, to the gate, the feeler, and the retaining member 1;, substantially as set forth.

5-. In a feeder for the purposes substantially as set forth, the combination, with the guide tube or Way It, having the aperture 56, and a gate and means for imparting thereto a movement under and away from under said tube, of the double spirally-formed guide D, substantially as described, having a switchtongue provided with the arm 57 and extension 58, a lever pivotally supported carrying the feeler-pin 15, adapted to playinto and out of said tube-aperture, and means for imparting-a swinging motion to said lever.

6. In a feeder, substantially as set forth, the combination, with t e tube or way h and the double spirally-formed guide D, substantially as described, thereunder, of the gate 0 and carrying-arms therefor, which are pivotally mounted, whereby said gate may have a swinging movement under and away from under the said tube h, a reciprocatory lever E, having thereon the arm 1, provided with the cam or incline 48, and the spring 46, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7 In a feeder for the purpose substantially as set forth, the guide-tube having through its wall the aperture 56 and also through its wall above it the aperture 65 and two differently-directed guideways below and communicating with said guide-tube, aswitch-' tongue between said guide-tube and said differently-directed ways, and movable to connect said tube with the one or the other of said ways, a reciprocatory part carrying the restraining-pin 1), which pin is adapted to enter and withdraw from the aperture 65, a movable part carrying a feeler-finger, which is movable into and out of said aperture 56, mechanism for imparting the inward and outward movements to the carriers for the said pin 5 and the feeler-finger at different intervals, and means for constituting an engagement between the said feeler-finger and 'said switch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In afeeder for the purposes substantially as set forth, the combination, with tube h, having the aperture 56 and the double spirally-formed guidetube D, the switch having the arm 57 and extension 58, the arm 59, and weight 60, of the angular lever comprising the arms 53 and 55, the support on which the same is pivotally hung at its elbow, and the arm 55, having the feeler member If, by a portion thereof engaging the switch-arm extension 58, the spring 62, the reciprocatory lever E, having the cam member 52 thereon, all arranged for operation substantially as described and shown. I

9. In a feeder forthe purpose substantially as set forth, the combination, with the double spirally formed tubular guide D, terminating at its lower portion in the downwardly-inclined way 70, of a chute forwardly continuing therefrom, consisting of two members 82 82, having outer side walls 80 80 andinner inclined edges, and each of said members 82 pivoted at its rear portion, substantially as shown, for the purpose set forth.

10. In afeeder for the purpose substantially as set forth, the combination, with the spirally-formed tubular guide terminating at its lower portion in the downwardly-inclined way k, of a chute forwardly continuing therefrom, which is pivotally supported thereon, whereby the same may be raised and lowered, for the purpose set forth.

11. In a machine for making buttons, the combination, with a movable table having suitably-formed portions or members for receiving and supporting the button parts and one or more dies for operating in conjunction therewith, of a pair of feed-rolls for the strip of cloth or similar material, a support and guide for the portion of the strip in advance of the said feed-rolls, the shear 73, pivoted to swing to sever the forward section of the said strip, and a reciprocating abutment device for swinging the said shear, substantially as described.

12. In a mechanism for feeding cup-like parts, the combination, with a g'uideway with an opening leading thereinto and further guideways having ditferent courses in communication with the first-named way, of a movable switch or deflector mounted to guide the parts from the first guideway to one of latter ways and to be moved to guide from said first way to the other of said latter-nan] ed ways, a feeler-finger adapted to play through said opening which leads into the guideway and to have a greater or less movement according to the position of the adjacent cuplike part, and mechanism having an engagement with said switch and with the feeler, whereby from the 'position or movement of the feeler the position or movement of the switch will be controlled, for the purpose set forth.

MYRON F. TAINTOR. W'ILLIAM T. MAlI-IER.

Witnesses:

WM. S. BELLows, G. M. CHAMBERLAIN. 

